The upcoming iOS 17.2 update for the iPhone, expected to arrive before the end of the year, will allow older iPhones to support a next-generation wireless charging protocol.
The Qi2 wireless charging protocol, which is already supported by the iPhone 15, will be extended to all iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models, according to the release notes that accompany the iOS 17.2 RC release (Release Candidate) of iOS.
What is Qi2?
This is a new version of the Qi wireless charging standard, developed by the Wireless Power Consortium. The Qi2 standard offers better power transfer capabilities, faster charging speeds and greater energy efficiency.
According to the Wireless Power Consortium, Apple “provided the basis for the new Qi2 standard by building on its MagSafe technology” and uses magnets to provide a secure way to better secure and align the smartphone with the charger, a technology called Magnetic Power Profile.
This is all interesting, but what does it mean for iPhone owners?
MagSafe can support wireless charging up to 15W
MagSafe can support wireless charging at up to 15W, and this is the power that the Qi2 standard will also support, increasing the charging power from 5 to 7.5W currently supported by Qi. In other words, support for the Qi2 standard means that third-party wireless chargers will be able to offer the same charging speeds currently offered by Apple’s official MagSafe hardware.
This should – notice I said “should” and not “will” – mean that cheaper third-party fast wireless chargers will be available in the future.
The famous hardware manufacturer Anker has already started talking about Qi2, and so it is likely that it will offer products that support Qi2 technology.
Oh, and if you own an iPhone 12, which can run iOS 17 and will receive the 17.2 update, it won’t be supported, and it’s unclear why. But it’s probably a lack of support in the device’s charging or battery management system.
Source: “ZDNet.com”